Pariah's Child
Sonata Arctica · 2014
58 min · 11 tracks · power metal
Epic symphonic melodies intertwine with heavy riffs and introspective lyrics, creating a rich tapestry of power metal soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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What Did You Do in the War, Dad? — This track stands out for its poignant exploration of personal and societal conflict, framed through a narrative lens that challenges listeners to reflect on history's impact.
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Cloud Factory — With its atmospheric instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrics about environmental issues, this song encapsulates the band's ability to blend fantasy with real-world concerns.
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Larger Than Life — This epic closing track combines soaring melodies with introspective lyrics, effectively summing up the emotional journey of the album while showcasing the band's musical prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong melodies and varied lyrical themes but doesn't fully stand out in the power metal genre.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a symphonic introduction before transitioning into heavy guitar riffs, establishing the album's epic sound.
- Several tracks feature tempo shifts, moving from fast-paced sections to slower, more melodic passages, creating dynamic contrasts.
- The lyrics across the album explore diverse themes, often intertwining personal introspection with broader societal reflections.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for thoughtful reflection
- epic soundscapes for immersive experiences
- consistent journey through emotions
- dynamic instrumentation with lyrical depth
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Resonated with fans for its melodic and heavier elements, showcasing the band's evolving sound.
- Career context
- Pariah's Child is Sonata Arctica's eighth studio album, released in 2014, following their 2012 album Stones Grow Her Name. At this point in their career, the band was exploring more diverse lyrical themes while maintaining their signature melodic power metal sound. This album marked a return to a more classic style after some experimentation in previous releases.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nightwish· Epica· Blind Guardian
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Wolves Die Young 4:11
- 2 Running Lights 4:23
- 3 Take One Breath 4:18
- 4 Cloud Factory 4:16
- 5 Blood 5:54
- 6 What Did You Do in the War, Dad? 5:12
- 7 Half a Marathon Man 5:43
- 8 X Marks the Spot 5:21
- 9 Love 3:46
- 10 Larger Than Life 10:06
- 11 No Pain 5:27
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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